Who is the X-Factor for Men's BB in 13-14?

[NowherePoke]

Curious to see who everyone thinks will be the "X-Factor" for the Pokes next year. We are obviously counting on Hankerson, Nance, Granberry and some combo of Adams/Grabau to play significant roles, but who else will have an unexpected impact?

My vote is for Austin Haldorson. He only played sparingly as a true freshman and frankly didn't seem quite physically ready to handle frontcourt life in the MWC. However, in his limited time I saw a very skilled 6'9" player. He clearly has 3-point range, and can hit a couple of mid-range shots as well. Seems to be a quality FT shooter but the sample size is very small (shot well in high school though also). That's a nice combination for a player his size. Another year of physical development and time in the weight room along with a greater understanding of defensive positioning and I can see him having a significant impact next year.

 

[Bryoming]

McManamen was usually the first of the bench warmers to see time this year. I feel like we'll see a much expanded role for him in the upcoming season.

 

[NowherePoke]

McManamen was usually the first of the bench warmers to see time this year. I feel like we'll see a much expanded role for him in the upcoming season.

Will be interesting to see. He was heavily involved in the Canada trip last summer and the exhibition in Ethete. I kind of thought he would have an impact as a freshman. I think he didn't quite perform defensively the way Shyatt expects (not surprising going from defending Wyoming 3A opponents to the MWC), but seemed to be one of the better shooters on the team.

 

[calpoke25]

I think Josh Adams is.

If he can develop the skillset of a PG (mainly his ball handling ability/passing, as his shot should get there and defense is already stellar) that will allows us to play him at PG, Hankerson/Granberry on the wings, and Nance/Cooke down low. This is IMO our best lineup, and is a lineup that can physically match other MWC teams. We certainly won't have the depth of other MWC teams but that lineup should be able to at least hold their own.

Adams really needs to improve ball handling though, as against teams that pressured him a lot he didn't seem very poised and would look to get rid of the ball ASAP. I'm a little concerned though because if you don't develop that necessary poise with ball by your sophomore year, chances are it won't ever come.

 

[NowherePoke]

I think Josh Adams is.

If he can develop the skillset of a PG (mainly his ball handling ability/passing, as his shot should get there and defense is already stellar) that will allows us to play him at PG, Hankerson/Granberry on the wings, and Nance/Cooke down low. This is IMO our best lineup, and is a lineup that can physically match other MWC teams. We certainly won't have the depth of other MWC teams but that lineup should be able to at least hold their own.

Adams really needs to improve ball handling though, as against teams that pressured him a lot he didn't seem very poised and would look to get rid of the ball ASAP. I'm a little concerned though because if you don't develop that necessary poise with ball by your sophomore year, chances are it won't ever come.

Good points.


I agree with you on the lineup. I think that will be our best case group. That brings enough size and athleticism at each position to defend MWC opponents, especially if they are as committed on the defensive end as most Shyatt coached teams are. The perimeter depth would be decent with Grabau and Sobey coming off the bench as a couple of experienced upperclassmen. Grabau would be the steady hand and Sobey is the offensive spark. The biggest hole is frontcourt depth. Who can step up out of Haldorson, Vernon, Herndon, and Sellers? Obviously my vote was at the beginning of the thread.

 

[DVDA]

I think Josh Adams is.

If he can develop the skillset of a PG (mainly his ball handling ability/passing, as his shot should get there and defense is already stellar) that will allows us to play him at PG, Hankerson/Granberry on the wings, and Nance/Cooke down low. This is IMO our best lineup, and is a lineup that can physically match other MWC teams. We certainly won't have the depth of other MWC teams but that lineup should be able to at least hold their own.

Adams really needs to improve ball handling though, as against teams that pressured him a lot he didn't seem very poised and would look to get rid of the ball ASAP. I'm a little concerned though because if you don't develop that necessary poise with ball by your sophomore year, chances are it won't ever come.

I think he needs to continue to mature and improve his decision making. Last year he played like a freshman at times, but his ball handling skills weren't a big weakness. I actually think his ball handling skills are the best on the team(returning players). As he matures his skills will begin to shine through since he'll make fewer and fewer "freshman" mistakes. Hopefully Shyatt and company will take his understanding of the game to another level this offseason and help him reach his potential.

 

[BeaverPoke]

Josh Adams is going to be the X factor for sure. He did play like a freshman at times but that was to be expected, he was a freshman thrown into the starting lineup early in the season.
He has leadership characteristics, but Gilmore put a damper on that throughout the season.
But he also made some awesome plays and defended the best players in the conference.
His dunks get the crowd pumped up and his court awareness and the way he wasn't the "me first PG" like Gilmore was paid off big time.
Think of the first game in the CBI. He took the court down and found Sobey for the open 3. Gilmore would have probably shot it himself and missed.
Between him, Hankerson, and Nance, that is going to be a very strong trio. Not saying we will have the best lineup in the MWC but those 3 together is going to be very tough.